Self-Presentation and Common Cultural Structures in Ngoma Rituals of Southern Africa

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Periodical article

Title:	Self-Presentation and Common Cultural Structures in Ngoma Rituals of Southern Africa
Author:	Janzen, John M.
Year:	1995
Periodical:	Journal of Religion in Africa
Volume:	25
Issue:	2
Period:	May
Pages:	141-162
Language:	English
Geographic terms:	South Africa Swaziland - Eswatini
Subjects:	divination Religion and Witchcraft Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups)
External link:	https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/1581271.pdf
Abstract:	'Ngoma', an ancient ritual healing institution in central and southern Africa, serves as a transregional, transethnic and transracial channel for the articulation of experience and knowledge about misfortune, as well as about the very basis of society and literally anything else under the sun. This paper focuses on the question of why 'ngoma' in South Africa reveals a single modality or consciousness, despite the extensive ethnic pluralism of the country, whereas in neighbouring regions as well as in Central Africa, it is manifested through thematic as well as ethnic particularism and heterogeneity. The author's inquiry focuses on the practice of two senior diviner-healers, Adelheid Ndika in Guguletu township near Capetown, and Ida Mabuza in Swaziland. The author's explanation is based on definitions of consciousness from Terence O. Ranger, Richard Werbner and Eric Hobsbawm. He argues that the distinctiveness of 'ngoma' in South Africa is due to the extenuating circumstances of life in that country, caused by apartheid. Notes, ref.